Jess Brown-Fuller MP for Chichester demands Chancellor see sense and take “immediate action” as heating oil prices rocket

Thursday, 12 March 2026 11:05

The MP for Chichester says thousands of rural households are being left behind as energy costs rise.

Jess Brown-Fuller says new data suggests more than 8-thousand off-grid homes could be affected as the conflict in Iran pushes up heating oil prices.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce a three-month zero-rate of VAT on heating oil for residential properties.

The party has also called on the Government to develop a mechanism to shield off-grid families from sudden price surges, to provide them with similar protection to the energy price cap. For the long term, the party has urged the government to upgrade homes and make them cheaper to heat, starting with free insulation for those on low incomes, and ensuring that all new homes are zero-carbon.

Jess Brown-Fuller Liberal Democrat MP for Chichester, said: “Families in Chichester who rely on heating oil are being left to bear the brunt of shocks to the global market in their bills.

”The Government must provide immediate relief for households who are grappling with rocketing oil and gas prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

“The Chancellor knows that families who rely on heating oil are getting ripped off but she is refusing to help. She must see sense.

“Liberal Democrats are calling for an immediate three-month zero-rating for VAT on heating oil for all residential homes to protect rural households from global price shocks.”

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